Breastfeeding towel

ABSTRACT

A breastfeeding towel is described, having an absorbent cloth and an adjustable shoulder strap that attaches to the absorbent cloth. A privacy shade may be attached to the end of the absorbent cloth that is opposite from the shoulder strap.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application No.62/492,696, filed on May 1, 2017, which is incorporated herein byreference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Breastfeeding, or nursing, can be a messy activity. Many mothers mayexperience an excessive leakage of breastmilk while breastfeeding theirbaby, which can result in spraying, dripping, and leaking breastmilkonto the mother, the mother's clothing, the baby, and the surroundingarea. This can happen particularly if the mother is experiencing astrong letdown or an oversupply of breastmilk.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Many aspects of the present disclosure can be better understood withreference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings arenot necessarily to scale, with emphasis instead being placed uponclearly illustrating the principles of the disclosure. Moreover, in thedrawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding partsthroughout the several views.

FIG. 1 is a drawing of an embodiment of a breastfeeding towel.

FIG. 2 is a drawing of the breastfeeding towel of FIG. 1 that has beenflipped over about the transverse axis.

FIG. 3 is a drawing of an assembled portion of the breastfeeding towelof FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a drawing of the assembled portion of the breastfeeding towelfrom FIG. 3, but with a portion of the absorbent cloth folded back.

FIG. 5 is a drawing of an assembled version of the breastfeeding towelfrom FIG. 4, but with the privacy shade shown over the absorbent cloth.

FIGS. 6-9A depict a person using the breastfeeding towel of FIG. 1.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart that provides one example method of use of thebreastfeeding towel of FIG. 1 according to various embodiments.

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of a networked environment accordingto various embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

This patent application relates to a towel that can be worn for use inthe breastfeeding of infants. The breastfeeding towel is particularlywell suited for the challenges of breastfeeding, including breastmilkleakage or spills, especially if the mother is experiencing a strongletdown or an oversupply of breastmilk. However, it is understood thatthe breastfeeding towel described herein may also be used in bottlefeeding infants in a cradled position using either pumped breastmilk orformula. Also, the breastfeeding towel may be used while pumpingbreastmilk. A privacy shade may be attached to the breastfeeding towelto provide additional privacy while breastfeeding.

The breastfeeding towel allows the mother to have easy access to extraabsorbent cloth to wipe away any breastmilk from the infant's face orfrom the mother. The breastfeeding towel can be conveniently used whileburping the infant after feeding to absorb any spit-up, therebypreventing spit-up from dripping onto the back of the mother or herclothing. The breastfeeding towel is left-right symmetrical, whichallows it to be worn while breastfeeding infants from either the left orright breast.

FIG. 1 is a drawing of an embodiment of a breastfeeding towel 100, whichhas three components: an absorbent cloth 103, a shoulder strap 106, anda privacy shade 109. The absorbent cloth 103 in this example is anelongated rectangle that extends along a longitudinal axis. A length ofthe absorbent cloth 103 along the longitudinal axis may be in a range of35 inches to 50 inches. A width of the absorbent cloth 103 along atransverse axis may be in a range of 8 inches to 12 inches. Theabsorbent cloth 103 has a top edge 112, a bottom edge 115, a left edge118, and a right edge 121.

The absorbent cloth 103 may have front and back sides made of the samematerial or fabric, or made of different materials or fabric. In variousexamples, the front and back sides may have different fabric designs orcolors. One or both sides may be made of terrycloth or a similarabsorbent material. One or both sides may be made of a fabric materialselected from a group consisting of: baby flannel, flannel, or cotton.

The absorbent cloth 103 has a plurality of attachment points 124 a, 124b, 124 c, 124 d, and 124 e. The attachment points 124 are used forattaching the shoulder strap 106 at two points of attachment and theprivacy shade 109 at one point of attachment. The attachment points 124may correspond to snaps, hook-and-loop fasteners, buttons, rectangularloops and slide adjustment sets, D-rings, rib or slot slide closures,zippers, laces, or other fasteners. It is noted that as shown theabsorbent cloth 103 may be left-right symmetrical so that it can be usedsimilarly when feeding from a left breast or from a right breast.

As shown, a single attachment point 124 a may be provided proximal tothe bottom edge 115 of the absorbent cloth 103, which may be generallyin the center of the absorbent cloth 103 along the longitudinal axis.However, in various embodiments, the attachment point 124 a may beoff-center, and/or multiple attachment points 124 a may be providedproximal to the bottom edge 115.

As shown, a plurality of attachment points 124 b-124 e are providedproximal to the top edge 112 of the absorbent cloth 103. To maintainsymmetry, an equal number of attachment points 124 may be provided onthe left and right halves of the absorbent cloth 103. An equal number ofattachment points 124 may be on different sides of the absorbent cloth103, or the attachment points 124 may be used from either side.

The narrow shoulder strap 106 has a first end 127 and a second end 130.A single attachment point 133 a may be provided at the first end 127,while a plurality of attachment points 133 b may be provided at thesecond end 130. The attachment points 133 b may be spaced along alongitudinal axis of the shoulder strap 106. In various examples, theshoulder strap 106 and one or more sides of the absorbent cloth 103 maybe constructed of a same fabric material.

The privacy shade 109 has a front edge 136. Proximal to the front edge136 may be a plurality of attachment points 139. The attachment points139 may be provided near the corner of the privacy shade 109. AlthoughFIG. 1 depicts attachment points 139 only along the front edge of theprivacy shade 109, in other examples, attachment points 139 may beprovided along an opposite edge as well. In various examples, theprivacy shade 109 and one or more sides of the absorbent cloth 103 maybe constructed of a same fabric material. In various examples, theprivacy shade 109 is approximately 15 inches wide and 25-30 inches inlength.

FIG. 2 is a drawing of the breastfeeding towel 100 of FIG. 1 that hasbeen flipped over about the transverse axis, showing the bottom side ofthe absorbent cloth 103, the shoulder strap 106, and the privacy shade109. The attachment points 124, 133, and 139 may be present on one orboth sides of the absorbent cloth 103, the shoulder strap 106, and theprivacy shade 109. Alternatively, rivets may be shown on either side ofthe absorbent cloth 103, the shoulder strap 106, and the privacy shade109, where the actual attachment points 124, 133, and 139 are on theopposite side. It is noted that attachment points 124, 133, and 139 maybe provided on either side so that the absorbent cloth 103, the shoulderstrap 106, and the privacy shade 109 may be used interchangeably via thefront side or the back side. In some embodiments, the front and backsides may have different fabric patterns, colors, or designs.

Turning now to FIG. 3, shown is a drawing of an assembled portion 300 ofthe breastfeeding towel 100 of FIG. 1. The first end 127 of the shoulderstrap 106 removably attaches to the absorbent cloth 103 at point 303.For example, a push fastener such as a snap at the attachment point 124a (FIG. 1) on the absorbent cloth 103 may connect with a correspondingfastener at the attachment point 133 a (FIG. 1) on the shoulder strap106. Although point 303 corresponds to the single attachment point 124 aon the bottom edge 115 (FIG. 1) of the absorbent cloth 103, it isunderstood that the bottom edge 115 of the absorbent cloth 103 may havemultiple attachment points 124.

The second end 130 of the shoulder strap 106 removably attaches to theabsorbent cloth 103 at point 306. For example, a push fastener such as asnap at the attachment point 124 d (FIG. 1) on the absorbent cloth 103may connect with a corresponding fastener at one of the attachmentpoints 133 b (FIG. 1) on the shoulder strap 106. The particularattachment point 133 b may be selected so as to shorten or lengthen theeffective length of the shoulder strap 106 and provide a snug yetcomfortable fit on the wearer.

Although the example of FIG. 3 shows the shoulder strap 106 beingattached at point 306, the shoulder strap 106 may instead be attached atattachment point 124 b or 124 c on the opposite half of the absorbentcloth 103. This allows for the breastfeeding towel 100 to be used whilebreastfeeding from the opposite breast. Also, in an alternativeconfiguration, the first end 127 of the shoulder strap 106 may beconnected at point 306, while the second end 130 of the shoulder strap106 may be connected at point 303. Furthermore, in some embodiments, theshoulder strap 106 may be permanently attached to the absorbent cloth103 at point 303.

Moving on to FIG. 4, shown is a drawing of the assembled portion 300 ofthe breastfeeding towel 100 from FIG. 3, but with a portion 403 of theabsorbent cloth 103 folded back. The portion 403 that is folded back maybe used as a burp cloth to wipe the face of the infant, or to wipe anyother spilled milk that may be on the mother.

Continuing to FIG. 5, shown is a drawing of an assembled version 500 ofthe breastfeeding towel 100 from FIG. 4, but with the privacy shade 109shown over the absorbent cloth 103. A corner of the privacy shade 109attaches to one of the attachment points 124 (FIG. 1) of the absorbentcloth 103 at an attachment point 139. Attachment points 139 may belocated on either side of the privacy shade 109 and at any corner of theprivacy shade 109.

FIGS. 6-9A depict a person 600 using the breastfeeding towel 100. FIG. 6shows a front view of the person 600. In FIG. 6, the person 600 hasattached the shoulder strap 106 to the bottom edge 115 (FIG. 1) of theabsorbent cloth 103. The person 600 has wrapped the right edge 121(FIG. 1) of the absorbent cloth 103 around her left torso, between herleft torso and her left arm. The person 600 is holding the left edge 118of the absorbent cloth 103 using her left arm.

FIG. 7 shows a right side view of the person 600. The person 600 hasdraped the absorbent cloth 103 over the shoulder strap 106 and hasbrought the shoulder strap 106 around her right torso. The person 600then brings the shoulder strap 106 behind her back and up to attach theshoulder strap 106 to the absorbent cloth 103 at the attachment point124 d (FIG. 1), with the fit of the shoulder strap 106 being adjustable.

FIG. 8 shows a front view of the person 600, now with the second end 130(FIG. 1) of the shoulder strap 106 being attached at the attachmentpoint 124 d (FIG. 1) of the absorbent cloth 103, so that the shoulderstrap 106 goes around the back of the person 600 and connects over herleft shoulder to the absorbent cloth 103. Excess cloth 803 is providedfor use as a burp cloth, to wipe the infant's face, or to wipe theperson 600.

FIG. 9 shows a front view of the person 600 actively feeding an infant903. The infant 903 is covered while feeding through the use of theoptional privacy shade 109. The absorbent cloth 103 is available forcradling the infant 903 and to wipe up any messes.

If using a breast pump, the person 600 may remove the shoulder strap 106and the privacy shade 109 from the absorbent cloth 103 and place theabsorbent cloth 103 under the breast (or wherever best for the person600) to absorb any milk that leaks while breast pumping.

FIG. 9A shows a front view of the person 600, with the absorbent cloth103 draped over her shoulder for use as a burp cloth. In anotherexample, the person 600 may omit the use of the shoulder strap 106 andretain the other end of the absorbent cloth 103 between her arm andtorso, or drape the other end of the absorbent cloth 103 over her othershoulder.

Referring next to FIG. 10, shown is a flowchart that provides oneexample method 1000 of use of the breastfeeding towel 100 (FIG. 1)according to various embodiments. Beginning with box 1003, a userattaches the first end 127 (FIG. 1) of the shoulder strap 106 (FIG. 1)to the bottom attachment point 124 a (FIG. 1) of the absorbent cloth 103(FIG. 1). The attachment of the shoulder strap 106 to the bottomattachment point 124 a should be snugly fit to the user's upper rib areaand function to absorb and prevent any leaking breastmilk from thebreastfeeding infant. In some examples, the shoulder strap 106 may bepreviously attached, or the shoulder strap 106 may be attached to a topattachment point 124 (FIG. 1) of the absorbent cloth 103.

In box 1006, the user places a left edge 118 (FIG. 1) or right edge 121(FIG. 1) of the absorbent cloth 103 between the upper arm and torso ofthe user. This allows the absorbent cloth 103 to be held while theshoulder strap 106 is being fitted. In box 1009, the user loops thesecond end 130 (FIG. 1) of the shoulder strap 106 around the torso ofthe user. In box 1012, the user attaches the second end 130 of theshoulder strap 106 to the left top attachment point 124 b or 124 c, orto the right top attachment point 124 d or 124 e, while adjusting forfit. Particularly, the user may select one of multiple attachment points133 b (FIG. 1) of the shoulder strap 106 in order to lengthen or shortenthe shoulder strap 106.

In box 1015, the user may attach the optional privacy shade 109 (FIG. 1)to the absorbent cloth 103 by attaching one of the attachment points 139(FIG. 1) of the privacy shade 109 to an attachment point on theabsorbent cloth 103 that is opposite the edge nearest the shoulder strap106. In box 1018, the user may drape the opposite edge of the privacyshade 109 over the shoulder other than the one supporting the shoulderstrap 106. In other examples, the privacy shade 109 may be attached tothe absorbent cloth 103 by way of two to four attachment points.

It is understood that the breastfeeding towel 100 may be used inadditional ways other than those described above. For example, the endsof the absorbent cloth 103 may be thrown over the shoulder, and theabsorbent cloth 103 may be used as a burp cloth. Also, the absorbentcloth 103 may be used individually, without the shoulder strap 106, byusers using their arms to position the absorbent cloth 103 so that theyremain dry. Further, users may lay upon the absorbent cloth 103 atnighttime to keep their bed dry.

Disjunctive language such as the phrase “at least one of X, Y, or Z,”unless specifically stated otherwise, is otherwise understood with thecontext as used in general to present that an item, term, etc., may beeither X, Y, or Z, or any combination thereof (e.g., X, Y, and/or Z).Thus, such disjunctive language is not generally intended to, and shouldnot, imply that certain embodiments require at least one of X, at leastone of Y, or at least one of Z to each be present.

It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments of thepresent disclosure are merely possible examples of implementations setforth for a clear understanding of the principles of the disclosure.Many variations and modifications may be made to the above-describedembodiment(s) without departing substantially from the spirit andprinciples of the disclosure. All such modifications and variations areintended to be included herein within the scope of this disclosure andprotected by the following claims.

Therefore, the following is claimed:
 1. A breastfeeding towel,comprising: an absorbent cloth having a top edge, a bottom edge, a leftedge, and a right edge and extending along a longitudinal axis of theabsorbent cloth from the left edge to the right edge, the absorbentcloth having a bottom attachment point proximal to the bottom edge ofthe absorbent cloth at or near a center of the longitudinal axis, theabsorbent cloth having a plurality of top attachment points proximal tothe top edge of the absorbent cloth, a right top attachment point beingon a right half of the longitudinal axis, a left top attachment pointbeing on a left half of the longitudinal axis; and a shoulder straphaving a first end and a second end, the first end of the shoulder strapbeing removably attached to the bottom attachment point, the second endof the shoulder strap being removably attached to one of the left topattachment point or the right top attachment point.
 2. The breastfeedingtowel of claim 1, wherein a length of the absorbent cloth along thelongitudinal axis is in a range of 35 inches to 50 inches.
 3. Thebreastfeeding towel of claim 1, wherein a width of the absorbent clothalong a transverse axis is in a range of 8 inches to 12 inches.
 4. Thebreastfeeding towel of claim 1, wherein the absorbent cloth has a frontside and a back side, and a separate right top attachment point and aseparate left top attachment point is on each of the front side and theback side.
 5. The breastfeeding towel of claim 1, wherein the absorbentcloth has a front side and a back side, and the front side and the backside have different fabric designs or colors.
 6. The breastfeeding towelof claim 1, wherein the absorbent cloth has a front side and a backside, and at least one of the front side or the back side is made ofterrycloth.
 7. The breastfeeding towel of claim 1, further comprising aprivacy shade having a front edge and having a plurality of privacyshade attachment points proximal to the front edge, the privacy shadebeing removably attached to the absorbent cloth via one of the pluralityof privacy shade attachment points and another one of the left topattachment point or the right top attachment point.
 8. The breastfeedingtowel of claim 7, wherein the privacy shade is rectangular.
 9. Thebreastfeeding towel of claim 7, wherein the privacy shade and at leastone side of the absorbent cloth are constructed of a same fabricmaterial.
 10. The breastfeeding towel of claim 1, wherein the shoulderstrap and at least one side of the absorbent cloth are constructed of asame fabric material.
 11. The breastfeeding towel of claim 1, wherein atleast one side of the absorbent cloth is constructed from a fabricmaterial selected from a group consisting of: baby flannel, flannel, orcotton.
 12. The breastfeeding towel of claim 1, wherein the first end ofthe shoulder strap includes a single attachment point, and the secondend of the shoulder strap includes a plurality of attachment pointsspaced along a longitudinal axis of the shoulder strap.
 13. Thebreastfeeding towel of claim 1, wherein the absorbent cloth isrectangular.
 14. The breastfeeding towel of claim 1, wherein theshoulder strap is removably attached to the breastfeeding towel by snapfasteners.
 15. The breastfeeding towel of claim 1, wherein the shoulderstrap is removably attached to the breastfeeding towel by hook-and-loopfasteners.
 16. A method for using a breastfeeding towel, thebreastfeeding towel comprising an absorbent cloth having a top edge, abottom edge, a left edge, and a right edge and extending along alongitudinal axis of the absorbent cloth from the left edge to the rightedge, the absorbent cloth having a bottom attachment point proximal tothe bottom edge of the absorbent cloth at or near a center of thelongitudinal axis, the absorbent cloth having a plurality of topattachment points proximal to the top edge of the absorbent cloth, aright top attachment point being on a right half of the longitudinalaxis, a left top attachment point being on a left half of thelongitudinal axis, the breastfeeding towel further comprising a shoulderstrap having a first end and a second end, the method comprising:attaching the first end of the shoulder strap to the bottom attachmentpoint of the absorbent cloth; and attaching the second end of theshoulder strap to one of the left top attachment point or the right topattachment point.
 17. The method of claim 16, further comprising:placing the left edge or the right edge of the breastfeeding towelbetween an arm and a torso of a wearer; looping the second end of theshoulder strap around the torso and a shoulder of the arm beforeattaching the second end of the shoulder strap.
 18. The method of claim17, further comprising wiping a face of an infant using a portion of theabsorbent cloth that is opposite the arm of the wearer.
 19. The methodof claim 17, wherein the first end of the shoulder strap includes asingle attachment point, and the second end of the shoulder strapincludes a plurality of attachment points spaced along a longitudinalaxis of the shoulder strap, the method further comprising: adjusting thebreastfeeding towel for fit of the wearer by selecting one of theplurality of attachment points of the second end of the shoulder strapfor attachment to the one of the left top attachment point or the righttop attachment point.
 20. The method of claim 17, wherein thebreastfeeding towel further comprises a privacy shade having a frontedge and having a plurality of privacy shade attachment points proximalto the front edge, the method further comprising: attaching the privacyshade to the absorbent cloth via one of the plurality of privacy shadeattachment points and another one of the left top attachment point orthe right top attachment point; and draping an opposite edge of theprivacy shade over another shoulder of the wearer.